5420469 CH02 03 p079-095 6/20/06 1:05 PM Page 82 Speech Speeches to informuse the same kind of organization and support materials as lectures do. Entertaining speeches may rely heavily

33Speaking EffectivelySpeaking Effectively

L E S S O N

• speaking effectively

• preparing to speak

• organizing yourpresentation

• using visual support

• using presentationskills

• practicing your speech

• giving your speech

Learn About . . . B

Think about a change you’dmake in your school if youwere in charge. Write downyour idea in a sentence andthen list three or four goodreasons why you’d makethat change if you could.Then arrange the supportingpoints as you would if youhad to make a short speechin class about yoursuggested change.

Quick Write

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech—delivered on thesteps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on 28 August 1963—was one of the most effective speeches of modern times.Courtesy of Bettmann/Corbis Images

Speaking EffectivelyThe politician speaks to gather votes. The lawyer presents her case to win a trial. The coach gives a pep talk to inspirehis team. The student government president speaks to thestudent body to encourage recycling. The civil rights leadermakes an emotional plea to win followers to the cause.

Speaking to an audience in public is one of the oldest forms of human communication. It’s a valuable art. The ancientGreeks honored this activity by building beautiful structureswhere their orators could practice their art and compete with each other. An orator is someone who is known for his orher skill and power as a public speaker. And today, you still go to your school’s auditorium—a word that comes from theLatin root for listen—to hear speeches by students, teachers,and visitors.

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But as much as Western culture prizes the art of speaking,many people fear it. Studies have shown that speaking infront of a group is by far most people’s greatest fear. It ranksahead of the fear of dying, riding in an airplane, or failure in other areas of life.

You may have that same fear—that churning feeling in yourstomach when someone asks you to talk before a group. Don’tworry; you’re completely normal! Everyone—the politician,the lawyer, the coach, and the leader—has the same reactionto speaking in public. But some people learn how to managetheir fear. They practice, speak, and gain control of their fearso that it becomes less noticeable.

Pebble Practice Pays Off

Do you have something important to say but feeloverwhelmed by the thought of sharing it with others?Consider the Greek statesman Demosthenes (Deh-MOSS-the-nees), who lived between 384 and 322 B.C.He wanted to be an orator and a leader, but he did not have a clear, strong, or pleasant voice. People hadtrouble understanding him. He decided to work at hisspeaking skills. He would walk down to the sea, putpebbles in his mouth, and shout to the crashing waves.(Warning: Don’t try this at home!) His practice paid off,and he became one of the most famous orators in history. Demosthenes worked to overcome hislimitations, and you can, too.

Although the fear of speaking is common, studies also showthat the ability to speak well in front of a group is one of the qualities people admire most. The person who cancommunicate ideas clearly—both in writing and speaking—has a greater chance of personal and professional success than someone who does not speak or write well.

If if hasn’t happened already, chances are that someone willeventually ask you to speak before an audience. If you’re still an inexperienced speaker, you’ll probably have to confrontyour fear of speaking—including the knocking knees andsweaty palms. Learning the fundamentals of speaking can helpyou conquer your fear. That’s the goal of this lesson: to helpyou become a better, more confident, more convincing speaker.

Demosthenes, Greek statesmanand orator (384–322 B.C.)Courtesy of Ancient Art and Architecture/DanitaDelimont.com

CHAPTER 2 | Communicating Effectively 80

• orator• impromptu• extemporaneous • visual aids• slide transitions• gestures • rate• volume • pitch• pause• articulation• pronunciation• stage fright

VocabularyB

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Like writing, speaking is a skill you can learn. Once you grasp the basics, the rest is practice, polish, and style. Your initial mistakes may embarrass you, but you’llsurvive. Learn all you can from your teachers and friends—some of them are alreadyaccomplished speakers. And once you’ve become more confident in your speakingskills, share with others your views, tips, and personal hang-ups about speaking. Help them learn what you’ve learned.

Similar to the ancient Greek orators, you’ll find that the more often you grabopportunities to speak in front of a group, the more self-confident you will become.Confidence and knowledge of your subject are important preparations for speaking.Now you’ll learn about some others.

Preparing to SpeakGood speaking involves the same fundamentals you learned for good writing. Goodspeaking, like good writing, is a result of the same type of process. Working throughthis process will help ease your fear of speaking. Do you remember the following sixsteps from the basic checklist? Keep them in mind as you read this section.

Six Steps for Effective Communication

1. Analyze your purpose and audience

2. Research your topic

3. Support your ideas

4. Organize and outline

5. Draft and edit

6. Fight for feedback.

Purpose

Just as you do when you write, you shouldanalyze your purpose when you prepare a talk.Speaking has three basic purposes: to inform,to persuade, or to entertain.

• The purpose of an informative presentationis to share your knowledge about a specifictopic. Talks to clubs, orientation talks, and presentations at awards ceremoniesare examples of speeches to inform.

• The persuasive presentation aims to move an audience to belief or action on anissue. Speeches at graduation and before class elections are meant to persuade.

• The goal of an entertaining presentation is to make the audience laugh. These relyon humor and colorful language. A speech at a roast, a talent show, or schoolfollies is an example of entertaining.

LESSON 3 | Speaking Effectively 81

President Franklin D. Roosevelt used hisspeaking skills to rally Americans duringthe Great Depression of the 1930s in a seriesof radio talks he called “fireside chats.” Courtesy of The Granger Collection

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Audience

Just as good writers aim the wording of a text at their readers, good speakers tailortheir remarks to their audiences. Analyze thelisteners in your audience by asking yourselfquestions such as: What are their listeningtraits, needs, desires, behaviors, and educationalbackgrounds? What do they expect? What dothey already know about the topic? How can Igain and hold their attention?

The better you know your audience, the more confident you’ll be in facing them. Use simple, everyday language appropriate for your audience. Use contractions and keepsentences short. Use personal pronouns, if appropriate. Repeat key words and followwith specific examples.

Types of Speaking

Although briefings, lectures, and speeches are each often referred to by the generictitles speech, talk, or presentation, differences exist among the three types. Thesedifferences will influence your organization, support, beginning, ending, and delivery.Briefings present information quickly and concisely. Lectures are used to teach newmaterial. Speeches are given in a variety of situations.

Briefing

Briefings are the most common type of presentation in business and military settings.By definition, a briefing is brief, concise, and direct. Sometimes, a briefing’s purpose is to inform—to tell about a mission, an operation, or a concept. At times briefings alsodirect—enable listeners to perform a procedure or carry out instructions. At other timesthey persuade—support a certain solution and lead listeners to accept that solution. Use the ABCs of briefing to help you remember that a briefing should always beAccurate, Brief, and Clear. Accuracy and clarity characterize all good speaking, butbrevity distinguishes the briefing from other types of speaking.

Lecture

In a lecture, most of the speaking is directed toward teaching. The lecture is the most frequent method of instruction. As the name implies, the primary purpose of a teaching lecture is to teach or to inform students about a given subject. Forconvenience, you can divide teaching lectures into the following types: 1) formallectures, where the communication is generally one-sided, with no verbal participationby the students; and 2) informal lectures, usually presented to smaller audiences—these allow for verbal interaction between instructor and students. Unlike duringbriefings, it is appropriate to use humor in the lecture presentation.


President Ronald Reagan, like Franklin D. Roosevelt a skilled communicator, comforted the nation in a television speech after the space shuttle Challengerdisaster in 1986.Courtesy of Diana Walker/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

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Speech

Speeches to inform use the same kind of organization and support materials as lecturesdo. Entertaining speeches may rely heavily on humor and other attention-gettingsupport. Persuasive speeches are characterized by more appeal to emotions or motivesthan in any other kind of talk you will give. Appeal to such motives as fear, curiosity,loyalty, adventure, pride, and sympathy is common in persuasion.

Four Methods of Presentation

You can usually choose one of four common methods for your presentation:

1. speaking from memory

2. reading from a prepared manuscript

3. speaking impromptu, with no specific preparation

4. speaking extemporaneously, with preparation and a few notes.

Memorizing

Speaking from memory is the least effective method of delivering a talk. You shouldtry to avoid it. While this method may seem appealing to people who can’t think ontheir feet, the memorized talk is like a straitjacket. You can’t adapt it to the immediatesituation or to your audience’s reaction. This method makes it nearly impossible to create a bond with your listeners. The memory method also requires a lot ofpreparation. Worst of all, you face the danger of forgetting your lines.

Manuscript Reading

Reading a speech can be a good option in situations where every word must beperfect. To do this, you write a word-for-word script of what you are going to say. Such a script:

• guarantees that you’ll send the right message

• ensures that you won’t leave out key information

• avoids trouble caused by ad-libbing or going off the message

• gives exact definitions and precise phrasing, if these are important.

Reading your speech allows you to plan the exact words and phrases you will use. But the disadvantages of this method far outweigh the advantages. Many speakers use the manuscript as a crutch instead of thinking through the ideas in the talk.


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If you must read from a manuscript, consider the following suggestions:

• Prepare your manuscript carefully

• Make your words simpler, clearer, and more vivid than you would in a paper

• Make your sentences shorter and your ideas simpler than in writing

• Make clear transitions between your ideas

• Use repetition to emphasize your main ideas and key points.

Prepare your paper so that it will be as readable as possible:

• Type the manuscript in large, easily readable type (at least 12 point)

• Number the pages

• Double- or triple-space the manuscript

• Never break words at the end of a line

• Leave plenty of white space—fill no more than two-thirds of the page with text

• Print on only one side of the paper to make the text easier to handle

• Put a double slash (//) at places where you wish to pause during delivery

• Underline words you want to emphasize

• Mark places in the manuscript where you plan to use visual aids.

For more hints on how to read from a manuscript, see the section called HandlingYour Notes.

Impromptu Speaking

An off-the-cuff speech is an impromptu speech. Impromptu refers to speaking without preparation. It’s what you do when you must speak without warning or on a few moments’ notice. Making a good impromptu speech requires self-confidence,mastery of the subject, and the ability to think on your feet. Only people who knowtheir subjects well and who can organize their thoughts as they speak should use this method.

If you have to make an impromptu speech, it’s helpful to begin by stating the numberof supporting points you will make. For example, “I support Germaine for classpresident for three reasons. She’s honest, she’s hardworking, and she has experience in student government.” Then develop each point separately. By announcing yourthree points, you help structure your thoughts. You also help your audience knowwhat to expect. It helps makes your talk brief, focused, and convincing.


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Extemporaneous Speaking

The fourth method of speaking allows you the most freedom in adjusting to anaudience as you speak. An extemporaneous presentation is one that you have carefullyplanned and outlined in detail, and delivered with only minimal notes. It is based on fullpreparation and adequate practice. The extemporaneous speaker’s only guide is usuallya well-constructed outline. You base all your remarks on that outline. You plan idea byidea rather than word by word. The speech will sound natural, but it requires carefulplanning. It comes out a little differently each time, but the ideas are the same.

Speaking from a well-planned outline has many advantages. You’ve organized ideasand weighed materials in advance. You are free to adapt your talk to the occasion and to adjust to audience reaction. You can change what you plan to say right up until you step up to the podium. Finally, and most important, extemporaneous speakingtends to be the liveliest of the four types of speaking. Most effective speakers use this technique often. It is well suited for almost all the public speaking you will do.

And while you’re at it, you may want to prepare two versions of your outline. Makeone version complete—almost in manuscript form. You can return to it several weeks or months later if you are called upon to give a similar talk. Make the second versionmuch briefer—perhaps only one page long. You could write it on cards so you can use it when you give your talk. Think of it as a keyword outline. Make sure it containsimportant words and phrases to remind you of main points, subpoints, supportmaterial you plan to use, and things to say in your introduction and conclusion.

Organizing Your PresentationClear organization is vital to effective speaking. The most obvious weakness among speakers is their failure to organize material for their audience.A speaker must lead listeners mentally from wherethey are at the beginning of a talk to where they are supposed to be at the end. For that reason, you must organize your message with the audiencein mind. Like a good written paper, every speechneeds an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.First, consider the introduction and the conclusion.

The Introduction

Good speakers capture their audience’s attentionimmediately. No matter how much you know about your subject or how willing audiencemembers are to listen to you, you must motivate them to listen throughout your talk.


Organize your presentation so thateach idea is in its proper place.Courtesy of Cathrine Wessel/Corbis Images

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Introductions vary depending on the purpose, the audience, and the situation. For an informative presentation, it’s helpful to begin with an overview. In such an introduction, you mention the main points you are about to discuss. Consider the audience, the occasion, and the objectives of your speech, then decide what kind of introduction is appropriate. For a briefing, you might start with “Good morning, I’m (name) and I’m briefing on ___________.”

For lectures and speeches, you can use attention-getters. Here are some suggestions for gaining attention. You’ll have to decide which one best applies to the talk you are giving.

• Ask an intriguing question

• Read a stirring quotation

• Describe a common interest

• Tell a joke that is suitable to the occasion (more on this in the Humor section)

• Make a startling statement

• Use a gimmick or prop.

Transitions are also part of good writing, as you may recall from the lesson on Writing Effectively. You can apply some of the guidelines for transitions in writing to your speeches as well. For example, one good strategy is to use words such as first,next, or finally. They help the audience follow the development of your ideas. Anotheris to use words such as however or on the other hand (to indicate a change of directionin thought) or in addition or moreover (to indicate a related idea).

The Conclusion

As with the introduction, your speaking situation and audience will help determinewhat kind of conclusion is best. Most speeches don’t require a long conclusion. Withinformative speeches, you may want to summarize your main points. With persuasivespeeches, your conclusion may be a motivational statement that emphasizes what youwant your listeners to believe or how you want them to act. In an entertaining speech,you might build to a brief, memorable punch line.

All speeches need a conclusion. The conclusion brings the speech to an effective close and satisfies your audience. The time you spend on your conclusion is importantbecause it creates an impression that the audience will remember once you havefinished. A good way to end a briefing is by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, thisconcludes my briefing. Are there any questions?”

A key rule in verbal communication is to keep it short and sweet. You may have heard the time-tested advice, “Be clear, be quick, be gone.” Few audiences will toleratea speaker who wastes time. Get your act together before you speak. Know what youwant to say, and then say it with your purpose and the audience in mind. Rememberthe old rule: “Tell them what you’re going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you told them.”


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Using Visual SupportThe body of your speech is where you discuss your main points, give information, constructyour argument, persuade, or entertain usingillustrations, examples, and clarification forsupport. Here’s where you can really prove yourpoint with testimony and statistics. You supportthis with visual aids.

Visual aids are objects or displays that give emphasisto and illustrate your ideas. Slides are the mostcommon form of visual aid for most speeches.Other types of visual aids include objects, models,photos, maps, charts, and drawings. They help you remember key points and keep the speech on target.

Use visual aids to help the audience “dig in” to what you have to say. Research shows that aweek after people hear a presentation that has no visual aids, they retain only about 5 percent ofthe information. With visual aids, retention jumpsto about 65 percent. The reason? The human brainprocesses visual images about 400,000 times as fast as text alone. In other words, “show and tell” is better and faster than just “tell.”

When you deliver your talk, don’t put up a visual aid until it is relevant to yourspeech. Don’t stand between your visual aid and the audience; make sure everyonecan see. Talk to your audience, not to the visual aid. If necessary, use a pointer to draw the audience’s attention to key items. Always point with your arm that is closest to the visual; otherwise, you might block the screen.

After you’ve covered the information in a visual aid, remove it or cover it up. One exception to this rule is when you use a visual aid as an outline. In this case, you can leave it up as long as it relates to what you’re saying. But when it’s no longeruseful, remove it.

Using slide transitions can help you navigate through your presentation. In publicspeaking, slide transitions are effects such as sound, animation, or movement that take you from one slide or part of the talk to the next. They help your audience follow the flow of your ideas.

Here are some other tips on using visual aids.


Using visual aids such as whiteboardsor slides helps you remember key points of your talk and helps the audience remember what you say.

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Color

Color is an important communication tool. But don’t overdo it. Limit your choices to four or five colors. Use colors to emphasize key elements, but avoid loud colors that might be distracting or hard to read.

To give your visuals a unified appearance, use the same background color on allimages. Maintain good contrast between important information and background. Use light (for example, white or yellow) letters on a dark background or dark letters on a light background.

Text

Slides aim at the visual portion of the brain. If they are jam-packed with information,they’ll confuse the audience. If you use slides, include lots of white space and keep words to a minimum using upper- and lowercase letters. If your slides are self-explanatory, you probably have too much “stuff” on them. Remember, this is a speech, not a paper. You add value to your speech with your eloquent speakingabilities, not by cramming words on a slide.

Equipment Operation

If you use an overhead slide projector, a 35-mm projector, or a computer dataprojector, it helps to ask a friend to operate the equipment. This person should be familiar with your speech. Give the person an outline that indicates when to display and remove the visual aids.

If you don’t have a friend to help, see if you can use a remote-control device to operate the equipment. This will allow you to move around a bit.

Visual aids are tools that can help the audience remember and understand the contentof your message. But don’t overdo them: When you emphasize everything, nothingseems important.

Using Presentation SkillsWhile what you say is important, the image you project as a speaker is even more important. Numerous studies have shown that people remember less than 10 percent of what a speaker says. First impressions are largely based on nonverbalcommunication, such as how you dress, wear your hair, carry yourself, and usegestures and other body language. Other keys to a polished delivery include yourvoice, the appropriate use of humor, the way you handle your notes, and your ability to overcome stage fright.


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Aspects of Physical Behavior

Your Appearance

Looking good boosts your self-confidence and buildsyour credibility with the audience. Do you need ahaircut? Are your shoes shined? Are your clothesclean and freshly pressed? Are your buttons buttoned?

Your posture also creates a general impression of you as a speaker. Stand erect and alert, but don’t be artificial. Don’t lean on the podium, rock backand forth, or slouch on one leg and then the other.

Eye Contact

As soon as you’re at the podium, establish eyecontact with the audience. Let the audience knowyou are looking at them and talking to them.Effective eye contact is direct and impartial. Don’tstare, but do look at the audience. Let your eyes

slowly range from one side of the room to the other. This is the best way to getaudience feedback and hold listeners’ attention. A speaker buried in reading notesloses listeners. Effective eye contact is powerful and enhances your credibility.

Facial Expressions

Use facial expressions, but don’t overdo them. Use them the same way you would if you were engaged in a casual conversation. You should not smile or frowncontinuously, but use these expressions as necessary to reinforce your ideas.

Body Movement

Everyone has quirks of movement. Usually they’re not noticeable. But when you’restanding in front of an audience for a long time, they may become a distraction. Be aware of your typical body movements. Keep yourself in check, and always seekfeedback. In time, you will have speaking down to an art.

The following describe some of the types of speakers who have movement challenges:

• The life-rafters: These speakers cling to the podium or lectern

• The hand-washers: These speakers store all their nervousness in their hands—while speaking, they wash and wash

• The caged tigers: These speakers continually pace from one side of the room or stage to the other

• The rockers: Rockers unconsciously move backward and forward, or side to side, or both

• Pocket maniacs: These speakers jam their hands in their pockets

• Pen clickers: These speakers have to be doing something with their hands—they are compelled to manipulate and click any pen in their possession.


Your Best Visual Aid

If you look well groomed,professional, and are well prepared, you will bethe most effective visualaid in your speech.However, it doesn’t matterhow convincing yourslides are—if you looksloppy and appearinsecure and awkward,the audience probablywon’t take you or yourmessage seriously.

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Gestures

Gestures are the purposeful use of your hands, arms, shoulders, and head to reinforce whatyou are saying. Your gestures should appear natural and spontaneous. Used appropriately,they add life and vigor to your speech. Inappropriately used, they can be an audiencedistraction. Make your gestures slowly and naturally, and watch your timing. Be surethey are consistent with what you’re saying. Make them add meaning to your speech.Practice your gestures in front of the mirror.

Your Voice

How effectively do you use your voice to drive home ideas or information? Using your voice is just like playing a musical instrument. You have control over the soundsthat your voice makes—the rate of speaking, volume, pitch, and pause. Use your voice to create interest in your speech. You can learn to control your voice in each of these areas.

Rate

Rate is the speed with which you speak. There’s no single correct rate of delivery that works for every speech. You might consider this fact, however: People can listen four to five times as fast as the normal speaking rate of 120 words per minute. If youspeak too fast, your speech will be impossible to understand. If you speak too slowly,your audience will find it harder to follow your meaning. And if you do not vary your speed, your voice will be monotonous and you may lose your audience’sattention. A faster rate communicates excitement or sudden action, and a slower rate sounds calm or tired. Use the rate of speech that is most appropriate to the ideas you are expressing.

Volume

Volume is how loudly or softly you speak. It’s another verbal technique that can giveemphasis to your speech. Before you speak, survey the room where you will deliveryour speech, if possible. Take time to practice talking in the room. Bring along a friend. Ask the friend to move to various parts of the room and tell you whether he or she can hear you. Know how loudly you must talk. Remember that when theroom is filled with people, you will need to talk louder because their bodies will absorbthe sound. If the audience members must strain to hear you, they will eventually tune you out. Change your volume to emphasize a point. Using a softer level or lower volume is often a more effective way to achieve emphasis than shouting is.


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Pitch

Pitch is the highness or lowness of a sound. To use pitch effectively, you need to practiceas a singer does. Begin at a pitch that is comfortable for you, then move up or downyour scale for emphasis. You can use pitch changes in individual letters, in words, or in entire sentences. You can use a downward (high to low) inflection in a sentenceto indicate certainty and an upward (low to high) inflection for an air of uncertainty.(For example, think about how your voice naturally rises at the end of a question.) A varied pitch rivets the listener’s attention.

A habit has developed over the past few years, especially among young people, in which people raise their inflection at the end of a statement just as they do for aquestion. Not only does this create a strange effect for listeners after several sentences,it makes the speakers sound as if they don’t know whether what they are saying iscorrect. Listen to yourself when you talk, see if you are doing this without realizing it,and avoid it at all costs.

Pause

A pause is a brief halt in your speech. It gives you time to catch your breath and the audience time to collect your ideas. Never hurry a speech; pause occasionally so your audience can digest your comments.

When it comes to pauses, the important questions are where to make them and how long they should be. Pauses serve the same function as punctuation in writing.Short pauses are like commas. They usually divide points within a sentence. Longpauses are like periods: They note the ends of sentences. You can also use even longerpauses for breaks from one main point to another—to separate the body from theconclusion of your speech or to set off an important point worthy of short reflection.In this case, the pause has the role of a paragraph in writing.

A pause may seem long to you, but it’s usually much shorter than you think—and your audience will appreciate it. Don’t get pause-happy, however, and make your speech sound choppy.

Articulation and Pronunciation

Two other aspects of your voice are articulation and pronunciation. The way you use them indicates your oral command of the English language. Articulation is the artof expressing words distinctly. Pronunciation is the ability to say words correctly. Listen to yourself and make your words distinct and understandable.

You can articulate a word correctly and still mispronounce it. If you are not sure of a word’s pronunciation, consult a current dictionary—before you get up and do your thing. You can even look up online dictionaries with audio links that will pronounce the word for you.


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Vocalized Pauses

This is the name given to the syllables a, uh, um, and ah that often occur at the beginning of a speaker’s sentence. While a few vocalized pauses are natural and don’t distract, too many get in the way of effective communication. If you findyourself saying them, pause, collect your thoughts for a moment, then continue.

Humor

One way to capture and hold your audience is by using humor. But be careful! What one person thinks is funny may turn another person off completely. Alwaysmake sure that your humor will not offend anyone.

The best sources for humor are the tried-and-true quotes from famous people whowrote humorous works. Quoting Mark Twain, Erma Bombeck, Groucho Marx, andothers can add zip to your talk and keep your audience stimulated. There’s also a benefit for you: Hearing your audience laugh will give you a boost and build yourconfidence. There’s almost no greater thrill in the world than making a roomful of people laugh.

Not sure whether a humorous line or joke will work? When practicing your speech in front of a test audience, pay attention to how your listeners react to the humor. If they don’t laugh at a joke during the trial run or object to it, take it out.

Handling Your Notes

Unless you’re an extremely talented speaker—or an actor—reading words aloud sounds dull. People who read speeches frequently lack spontaneity. They stand behindthe lectern with their eyes glued to their script. How interesting is that?

You can use one of two methods for handling your notes:

1. Hold the manuscript in front of you with one hand high enough that you can see it without bending your head, but not high enough to hide your face. The other hand will be free to turn pages and gesture.

2. Place your notes on a speaker’s stand or table so that both hands are free to gesture. Make sure, however, that the paper is high enough that you can read from it without bending over. Remember to let your eyes, not your head,drop to the paper.

You should rehearse your speech so you can deliver it well while handling your notesso smoothly the audience won’t notice them.


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Overcoming Stage Fright

Before you actually speak, your biggest challenge will be to overcome (or at leastcontrol) stage fright. Stage fright is the nervousness you feel when appearing in front of an audience—seen in misdirected energy, excitement, and anxiety displayed in your behavior.Everybody experiences some degree of stage fright. Most people get a little nervous,and a few become physically ill. You may have witnessed a great presentation “gone bad” solely because the speaker’s nervousness took over.

How do you banish stage fright? First, realize that your nervous energy is a tool you can use. Good actors know that, and they channel their nervousness into great performances.

Second, try taking a short walk right before you go on stage to help release some energy.

Third, know the first couple of sentences of your speech cold. Usually, this includesthe introduction and the transition into the first main point. This makes it mucheasier to get through the first minute, which is the most difficult.

Practicing Your SpeechRead your speech aloud several times, perhaps once a day for several days if you have time. Try to make your talk sound as if you are having a conversation. Act as ifyou were thinking the words for the first time as you read them. Edit words that aredifficult to say. Make necessary changes on the manuscript. Practice looking at yourmake-believe audience most of the time as the manuscript becomes more familiar to you. Provide the punctuation through vocal inflection, variety, and pauses.

Another strategy is to record yourself on a cassette recorder—listening to the playbackwill help you discover places where you may not be communicating effectively.

Even with this practice, you won’t be able to judge the effect of your speech onanother person. Most people are poor judges of their own speeches’ quality. That’swhy it’s important to practice the speech in front of a critical listener and ask forfeedback. If you can find two people willing to listen, that’s even better. If possible,hold the practice session in the room where you will make your speech. Practicewalking to and from the podium. Do your visual aids work? Are you hitting a smooth flow? Does the speech sound natural? Practicing your presentation will help you polish your delivery.


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Giving Your SpeechThe big moment has arrived. Walk to the podium. Take out your notes. Take a deepbreath. Look slowly around the room. Survey the audience from left to right. Project confidence. Begin in a strong, self-assured voice. As you proceed, keep eyecontact with the audience. Look for feedback (nods, puzzled looks, and so forth). Let members of the audience know you are looking at and talking to them. Smile!

Use natural gestures to relieve tension. Chances are your audience won’t notice your nervousness if you don’t telegraph it to them.

If you can capture and hold your audience during your introduction, you’re halfwayhome. Keep moving forward, always paying attention to audience feedback. Once you’ve made your main points, you can close with confidence. After saying “In conclusion,” end it. Smile and nod your head toward the audience while saying,“Thank you.”

Get Better by Speaking

Although preparing a talk can be hard work, for manypeople the hardest part is presenting the talk. Questionsspeakers most often ask are: How many notes should I use?How can I overcome nervousness? What kind of physicalbehavior is appropriate for me when I speak? What if my voice isn’t suited to speaking before a group? How can I project sincerity and enthusiasm?

What’s the quickest way to find the answers to thesequestions? By speaking. The more you do it, the better you’ll get, and the faster you’ll work the kinks out of yourdelivery style. Continue to ask for feedback from peoplewho’ve heard you speak. One of the most important thingsto remember: Your audience wants you to succeed.


Tips for Speakers

• “Tell them what you’regoing to tell them; tellthem; tell them whatyou told them.”

• “Be clear, be quick,be gone.”

• Use visual aids to helpthe audience “dig in”to what you have to say.

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Lesson 3 ReviewUsing complete sentences, answer the following questions on a sheet of paper.

1. What are the three basic purposes of a speech?

2. Describe the importance of knowing your audience and the occasion.

3. List the four common methods of presentation.

4. Describe how to use visual aids effectively.

5. Identify five presentation skills.

6. Name three ways to overcome stage fright.

Applying Writing Skills

7. Make an outline for a presentation on a subject that interests you. Include an introduction, body, conclusion, transitions,and illustrations. How would the presentation change if you were to deliver it to your fellow students? To your parents? To a group of teachers?

CHECKPOINTS

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Documents

5420469 CH02 03 p079-095 6/20/06 1:05 PM Page 82 Speech Speeches to informuse the same kind of organization and support materials as lectures do. Entertaining speeches may rely heavily